A night to dream about

I couldn’t sleep the night before the series started. You just want the game to be here. Then it’s finally here, and you go out and play, get a big win, and it’s just an incredible feeling.

What you do after a game like this is you go home, dream about it, get up tomorrow, and come back and do it again.

Sure, it’s a big win, and my home run felt great. But it’s just one game, and we know how good these Red Sox are. Nobody has to tell us.

The first thing I want to mention is the crowd. Man, it was loud. I’ve never heard Angel Stadium get that loud. That was exciting.

It was a great duel starting out between two of the best, John Lackey and Jon Lester. Lackey was Lackey. He came through big with his A game when we needed it. And Lester, man, he’s tough — one of the best lefties in the game. He throws hard, and he brings that slider down at your feet.

In my second at-bat, when I walked, he actually hit me on the back foot with a pitch. I looked back at the umpire, Joe West, but he didn’t see it. So I stayed up there. Right now, my big toenail is sore.

When I came up in the fifth, we had runners on first and third. It was a good hitting situation. Erick Aybar doubled, and Chone Figgins bunted him to third. Then Bobby Abreu walked. Four walks in one game – can you believe that? That man is too much.

I took a pitch from Lester and then he threw a two-seam fastball. Bobby was running, and I saw him going. I hit a mistake, I guess. I usually pop it up. Truth is, I didn’t know where the ball was. I closed my eyes and swung.

Running the bases, the crowd going crazy, the adrenaline was pumping so hard, it was unbelievable. I wish everyone could know what that feels like. It’s hard to describe. Just an unbelievable experience. I was running the bases and talking to myself, kind of like when I played football in high school. `Do what you do,’ that kind of thing.

When I got in the dugout, I was so excited I spiked my helmet. It was just one of those moments, a tremendous release.

This is special. I rank it way up there. But it’s just the start.

We played the way I know we can play in this first game. Now we have to keep it going. I try to lead by example. I don’t know if I’m going to hit a home run – you can’t just tell yourself to do it. You just react and play the game, have faith and confidence that you’re going to get it done.

What I like about our team is that the guys brought the dog with them. You can’t be scared, or you’re never going to make it happen.

We have to keep believing in ourselves and keep playing the game with passion and playing smart. If we do that, I like our chances.

12 Comments

I knew you were up for a big game, right when they walked Abreu, I could tell how concentrated you were on deck. I believe and I think most Angel fans will agree, you were the best signing in the history of the Angels. Walk the walk, talk the talk, and professional on and off the field. Will be looking forward to another victory tomorrow.

Torii, it was really loud last night; the reason you’ve never heard it that loud was because you’ve haven’t won a postseason game with us…but believe me, in 2002, it was crazy-loud in here! You might remember that when we played the Twins! That home run you hit last night was so thrilling. We fans were on the edge of our seats, wanting so badly to erupt…and you delivered! What a great moment! I will never forget it! This is what postseason baseball is all about! So happy for you and all of the guys!

What ‘A’ game last night was! That homer – priceless. Up in section 512, we got so loud we got the annoying Sux fan to leave! (Go – Home – Bos-ton!!) I think he stayed out of the stands in FEAR. Hahaha!! I’ll be watching from home tonight but cheering just as loud and rowdy as last night. Tor-ii, Tor-ii, Tor-ii…! We love our Angels and hope you can kick some smelly sox out of California – pronto.

What ‘A’ game last night was! That homer – priceless. Up in section 512, we got so loud we got the annoying Sux fan to leave! (Go – Home – Bos-ton!!) I think he stayed out of the stands in FEAR. HA! I’ll be watching from home tonight but cheering just as loud and rowdy as last night. Tor-ii, Tor-ii, Tor-ii…! We love our Angels and hope you can kick some smelly sox out of California – pronto.

Torii – we miss you here in Minnesota! I was rooting for the Angels last night since the Twins/Yankees game isn’t until tonight. Saw you get the big HR, and I cheered as loudly as if you were still playing for the Twins. Good luck to you guys the rest of the Boston series, and hope we get to see you against the Twins in the ALCS.

Hats off, #48! As a MLB fan, I appreciate what you brought to last night’s game – every game you play in, actually. As a Red Sox fan, I hope you keep bringing it. I wrote in an earlier post how I want my guys to win against the best. You’re it. I just hope you were able to wake up some of my BoSox enough to get them going. Good game. It’s only one, though. And, you’re playing against guys who know how to come back. I hope they can meet the challenge.

WOW!! Great game last night! You guys were awesome! Just believe in yourselves as a team. I have faith as an Angels fan that you guys will make it to the World Series, and win it. You guys deserve the wins. Good luck in New York. We love you.

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